Criminalizing the Unhoused: Fremont’s New Law Fails to Address Root Causes
As Fremont moves forward with enforcing its anti-camping ordinance, the city joins a growing list of California cities choosing criminalization over systemic solutions. Michael Austin, a longtime encampment resident, faces imminent eviction from the lot he has called home for two years. With nowhere to go, he and hundreds of others could be hit with fines or jail time…measures that do little to address the root causes of homelessness, such as unaffordable housing, mental health struggles, & substance use disorders. City officials claim the ban will restore safety and order, but in reality, it forces unhoused individuals into a cycle of displacement, incarceration, and deeper poverty, with offering no meaningful pathways to stability!
Despite Fremont’s existing shelters and services, demand far exceeds capacity, and the city lacks long-term solutions that actually address the structural issues fueling homelessness. Sweeps and criminal penalties will not create affordable housing or expand access to mental health care and addiction treatment. Instead, they push people further to the side, making reintegration even harder once they are released from jail with nothing. Without real investments in housing, healthcare, and rehabilitation programs, the cycle will continue—people like Austin will be evicted, arrested, and released, only to end up on the streets once again.
Paul Kuroda / The Los Angeles Times
By Hannah Wiley | Los Angeles Times | March 6, 2025